http://www.awea.org/MediaCenter/pressrelease.aspx?ItemNumber=6478

Washington, D.C.—The Senate recessed for the Memorial Day break without a vote on the EXPIRE act to extend dozens of crucial tax policies, including the Production Tax Credit (PTC) and Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for clean energy. A letter was delivered to Senators earlier in the week from a broad spectrum of the business community urging speedy passage of the EXPIRE act to continue clean energy economic development in the U.S.

The PTC and ITC have successfully driven over $118 billion in private investment just from wind energy development, to date. Land owners, farmers, supply chain manufacturers and other beneficiaries are looking for an immediate extension of the expired tax credits to reenergize new business and project development.

"Policy certainty is key to making long-term business decisions," said Linda Church Ciocci, Executive Director of the National Hydropower Association (NHA). "The expiration of the tax credit injects instability into our members' decision-making process. We hope that the Senate returns from recess and expeditiously passes the EXPIRE act, which was approved by the Finance Committee with bipartisan support."

"The American Farm Bureau believes that a significant part of our nation's energy should come from the development and use of renewable energy sources," said Bob Stallman, President of the American Farm Bureau Federation. "These sources are critical to our nation's energy future and will help further strengthen the overall national security of the United States. Renewable energy sources also contribute to the stability of the rural economy by creating another source of income to our nation's farmers and ranchers."

"As a manufacturer for the U.S. wind industry, we're proud to have scaled up to meet the growing demand for wind energy," said John Purcell, Vice President of the Energy Division at Leeco Steel. "There are over 550 manufacturing facilities in the U.S. capable of churning our American-made materials to provide clean, affordable, home grown energy. We hope that the Senate quickly takes up the EXPIRE act upon their return so we can focus on increasing production instead of an uncertain market."

About NHA

NHA represents more than 180 companies in the North American hydropower industry, from Fortune 500 corporations to family-owned small businesses. Our members include both public and investor-owned utilities, independent power producers, developers, manufacturers, environmental and engineering consultants, attorneys, and public policy, outreach, and education professionals.

AWEA is the national trade association of the U.S. wind energy industry, with 1,300 member companies, including global leaders in wind power and energy development, wind turbine manufacturing, component and service suppliers, and the world's largest wind power trade show, the AWEA WINDPOWER Conference & Exhibition, which takes place next in Las Vegas, NV, May 5-8, 2014. AWEA is the voice of wind energy in the U.S., promoting renewable energy to power a cleaner, stronger America. Look up information on wind energy at the AWEA website. Find insight on industry issues at AWEA's blog Into the Wind. Join AWEA on Facebook. Follow AWEA on Twitter.